Jennifer Gonzales, a federal Division of Veterans Affairs psychologist who was killed at a PTSD counseling program in Yountville on March 9.

Jennifer Gonzales, a federal Division of Veterans Affairs psychologist who was killed at a PTSD counseling program in Yountville on March 9.

Photograph: Courtesy Of Marjorie Morrison

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The doorway of Pathway House is seen surrounded by warning tape.

The doorway of Pathway House is seen surrounded by warning tape.

Photograph: Jessica Christian, The Chronicle

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California Freeway Patrol Assistant Chief Chris Childs broadcasts the loss of life of 4 individuals as a hostage state of affairs with an lively shooter attracts to a detailed on the Veterans Residence of California in Yountville, California on Friday, March 09, 2018. much less

California Freeway Patrol Assistant Chief Chris Childs broadcasts the loss of life of 4 individuals as a hostage state of affairs with an lively shooter attracts to a detailed on the Veterans Residence of California in Yountville, … extra

Photograph: JOSH EDELSON, JOSH EDELSON / SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE

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Onlookers gathered on the entrance of the Veterans Residence of California in Yountville, Calif., on Friday, March 9, 2018, after affirmation that three hostages and the gunman have been all deceased following a hostage standoff earlier within the day. much less

Onlookers gathered on the entrance of the Veterans Residence of California in Yountville, Calif., on Friday, March 9, 2018, after affirmation that three hostages and the gunman have been all deceased following a hostage … extra

Photograph: Carlos Avila Gonzalez / The Chronicle

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A person comforts a lady on the entrance of the Veterans Residence of California in Yountville, Calif., on Friday, March 9, 2018, after affirmation that three hostages and the gunman have been all deceased following a hostage standoff earlier within the day. much less

A person comforts a lady on the entrance of the Veterans Residence of California in Yountville, Calif., on Friday, March 9, 2018, after affirmation that three hostages and the gunman have been all deceased following a … extra

Photograph: Carlos Avila Gonzalez, The Chronicle

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Legislation enforcement personnel transfer in the direction of the scene the place an lively shooter has taken hostages on the Veteran Administration Hospital in Yountville, California on Friday, March 09, 2018.

Legislation enforcement personnel transfer in the direction of the scene the place an lively shooter has taken hostages on the Veteran Administration Hospital in Yountville, California on Friday, March 09, 2018.

Photograph: JOSH EDELSON, JOSH EDELSON / SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE

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Legislation enforcement personnel collect close to the scene the place an lively shooter has taken hostages on the Veteran Administration Hospital in Yountville, California on Friday, March 09, 2018.

Legislation enforcement personnel collect close to the scene the place an lively shooter has taken hostages on the Veteran Administration Hospital in Yountville, California on Friday, March 09, 2018.

Photograph: JOSH EDELSON, JOSH EDELSON / SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE

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A person has taken hostages on the Veterans Residence of California-Yountville.

A person has taken hostages on the Veterans Residence of California-Yountville.

Photograph: John Blanchard/The Chronicle

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An armored automobile drives contained in the Veterans Residence of California throughout an ongoing hostage state of affairs, Friday, March 9, 2018, in Yountville, Calif.

An armored automobile drives contained in the Veterans Residence of California throughout an ongoing hostage state of affairs, Friday, March 9, 2018, in Yountville, Calif.

Photograph: Santiago Mejia, The Chronicle

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Hirma Vanessa Flores (in pink), a 22-year-old caregiver who was working contained in the Veterans Residence of California throughout an ongoing hostage state of affairs, will get emotional exterior the house, Friday, March 9, 2018, in Yountville, Calif. much less

Hirma Vanessa Flores (in pink), a 22-year-old caregiver who was working contained in the Veterans Residence of California throughout an ongoing hostage state of affairs, will get emotional exterior the house, Friday, March 9, 2018, in … extra

Photograph: Santiago Mejia, The Chronicle

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Legislation enforcement members stage on the Veterans Residence of California after stories of an lively shooter Friday, March 9, 2018, in Yountville, Calif. Napa County Hearth captain Chase Beckman says a gunman has taken hostages on the veterans house in California. (JL Sousa/Napa Valley Register through AP) much less

Legislation enforcement members stage on the Veterans Residence of California after stories of an lively shooter Friday, March 9, 2018, in Yountville, Calif. Napa County Hearth captain Chase Beckman says a gunman has taken … extra

Photograph: JL Sousa, Related Press

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Christine Loeber, the manager director of The Pathway Residence, has been taken hostage within the incident.

Christine Loeber, the manager director of The Pathway Residence, has been taken hostage within the incident.

Photograph: Santiago Mejia, The Chronicle

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Larry Kamer speaks to reporters on the Veterans Residence of California, Friday March 9, 2018, in Yountville, Calif. Kamer is the husband of Devereau Smith, an individual who was current when a gunman took no less than three individuals hostage on the largest veterans house in the US on Friday, resulting in a lockdown of the sprawling grounds in California, authorities mentioned. (AP Photograph/Ben Margot) much less

Larry Kamer speaks to reporters on the Veterans Residence of California, Friday March 9, 2018, in Yountville, Calif. Kamer is the husband of Devereau Smith, an individual who was current when a gunman took no less than three … extra

Photograph: Ben Margot, Related Press

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The Pathway Residence within the Veterans Residence of California on Thursday, Sept. 14, 2017, in Yountville, Calif.

The Pathway Residence within the Veterans Residence of California on Thursday, Sept. 14, 2017, in Yountville, Calif.

Photograph: Santiago Mejia, The Chronicle

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Chris Childs, the California Freeway Patrol Assistant Chief, throughout a information convention on the Veterans Residence of California throughout an ongoing hostage state of affairs, Friday, March 9, 2018, in Yountville, Calif.

Chris Childs, the California Freeway Patrol Assistant Chief, throughout a information convention on the Veterans Residence of California throughout an ongoing hostage state of affairs, Friday, March 9, 2018, in Yountville, Calif.

Photograph: Santiago Mejia, The Chronicle

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File – On this April 17, 2011 file photograph, vineyards are proven in entrance of the Veterans Residence of California in Yountville, Calif. Napa County Hearth captain Chase Beckman says a gunman has taken hostages Friday, March 9, 2018, on the veterans house. Police closed entry to the big veterans house in Yountville after a person with a gun was reported on the grounds. (AP Photograph/Eric Risberg, File) much less

File – On this April 17, 2011 file photograph, vineyards are proven in entrance of the Veterans Residence of California in Yountville, Calif. Napa County Hearth captain Chase Beckman says a gunman has taken hostages Friday, … extra

Photograph: Eric Risberg, Related Press

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An armored automobile and police van head into the Veterans Residence of California throughout an ongoing hostage state of affairs, Friday, March 9, 2018, in Yountville, Calif.

An armored automobile and police van head into the Veterans Residence of California throughout an ongoing hostage state of affairs, Friday, March 9, 2018, in Yountville, Calif.

Photograph: Santiago Mejia, The Chronicle

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Individuals stroll to the knowledge middle on the Veterans Residence of California in Yountville, Calif., on Friday March 9, 2018. A gunman took no less than three individuals hostage on the largest veterans house in the US on Friday, resulting in a lockdown of the sprawling grounds in California, authorities mentioned. (AP Photograph/Ben Margot) much less

Individuals stroll to the knowledge middle on the Veterans Residence of California in Yountville, Calif., on Friday March 9, 2018. A gunman took no less than three individuals hostage on the largest veterans house within the United … extra

Photograph: Ben Margot, Related Press

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A sheriff’s hostage negotiation group passes a California freeway patrol checkpoint on the Veterans Residence of California in Yountville, Calif., Friday, March 9, 2018. Napa County Hearth Capt. Chase Beckman says a gunman has taken hostages on the veterans house. Police closed entry to the big veterans house after a person with a gun was reported on the grounds. (AP Photograph/Ben Margot) much less

California State Senator Invoice Dodd speaks to members of the media throughout an lively shooter state of affairs on the Veterans Residence of California on March 9, 2018 in Yountville, California.

California State Senator Invoice Dodd speaks to members of the media throughout an lively shooter state of affairs on the Veterans Residence of California on March 9, 2018 in Yountville, California.

Photograph: Stephen Lam, Getty Photos

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Jeff Hullquist, the Chief of Police of the Napa Valley Railroad Police Division, stands guard and leads motorists away from the Veterans Residence of California throughout an ongoing hostage state of affairs, Friday, March 9, 2018, in Yountville, Calif. much less

Jeff Hullquist, the Chief of Police of the Napa Valley Railroad Police Division, stands guard and leads motorists away from the Veterans Residence of California throughout an ongoing hostage state of affairs, Friday, March … extra

Photograph: Santiago Mejia, The Chronicle

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Air ambulance helicopters stage on the Vintner stage on the Vintners Golf Membership close to the doorway to the Veterans Residence of California in Yountville, Calif., Friday, March 9, 2018. A gunman took no less than three individuals hostage on the largest veterans house in the US on Friday, resulting in a lockdown of the sprawling grounds in California, authorities mentioned. (AP Photograph/Ben Margot) much less

Air ambulance helicopters stage on the Vintner stage on the Vintners Golf Membership close to the doorway to the Veterans Residence of California in Yountville, Calif., Friday, March 9, 2018. A gunman took no less than three … extra

Photograph: Ben Margot, Related Press

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A Sonoma County Sheriff’s helicopter levels on the Vintners Golf Membership close to the doorway to the Veterans Residence of California in Yountville, Calif., on Friday, March 9, 2018. A gunman took no less than three individuals hostage on the largest veterans house in the US on Friday, resulting in a lockdown of the sprawling grounds in California, authorities mentioned. (AP Photograph/Ben Margot) much less

A Sonoma County Sheriff’s helicopter levels on the Vintners Golf Membership close to the doorway to the Veterans Residence of California in Yountville, Calif., on Friday, March 9, 2018. A gunman took no less than three individuals … extra

Photograph: Ben Margot, Related Press

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Media vans stage on the entrance to the Veterans Residence of California in Yountville, Calif., on Friday, March 9, 2018. A gunman took no less than three individuals hostage on the largest veterans house in the US on Friday, resulting in a lockdown of the sprawling grounds in California, authorities mentioned. (AP Photograph/Ben Margot) much less

Media vans stage on the entrance to the Veterans Residence of California in Yountville, Calif., on Friday, March 9, 2018. A gunman took no less than three individuals hostage on the largest veterans house within the United … extra

She was solely 29 years outdated, however she was already an knowledgeable on post-traumatic stress dysfunction.

When the federal Division of Veterans Affairs despatched Jennifer Gonzales’ paperwork to Marjorie Morrison, she did a double take. Morrison, the CEO of PsychArmour, a free on-line library with programs on the best way to assist navy veterans, was in search of an knowledgeable to jot down in regards to the topic. She wasn’t anticipating somebody so younger.

However that was Gonzales — as sensible and pushed as she was shy and soft-spoken. She had devoted a lot of her brief life to serving to veterans struggling to construct a life after deployment.

On Friday, Gonzales and two colleagues have been killed by a former affected person on the Pathway Residence in Yountville, a middle for veterans being handled for PTSD. She was a scientific psychologist with the scholar veteran well being program on the VA’s medical middle in San Francisco.

“She was younger and tremendous good,” Morrison mentioned. “When the VA says, ‘That is our knowledgeable,’ it’s an enormous deal. She was actually, actually sensible — only a good girl for being so younger and on this space of experience.”

Gonzales volunteered to jot down the nonprofit’s curriculum for the way the upper training system may also help veterans whereas they pursue a level. However she was too shy to be in an accompanying video. They used animation as an alternative of reside footage. She wrote the script, and her mission associate did the voice-over.

“She noticed the massive image,” Morrison mentioned. “Of all of the issues that individuals do for veterans, the least attractive factor is getting faculties ready for them. It’s not as thrilling. However she noticed it as an excellent place to do analysis. It was a method to assist them perceive what these individuals undergo.”

Gonzales was a helper within the “Mister Rogers sense,” mentioned Susan Hennessey, a lifelong good friend. She referred to as her a “sunny, stunning, unfailingly variety little lady who grew as much as be a sunny, stunning, unfailingly variety girl.”

“Jenn was good, from head to toe,” Hennessey mentioned in a Twitter publish. “Completely good in a method that’s exceptionally uncommon. She made everybody who knew her higher, and he or she will likely be missed perpetually and ever.”

Gonzales obtained her doctorate in psychology from Palo Alto College. After getting her skilled license, she joined a gaggle follow that labored with Santa Clara County sheriff’s deputies.

On the VA, she was splitting time between Napa Valley School and the Pathway Residence. There, she was serving to veterans discover tutorial and vocational applications to return to high school.

“She devoted her life to serving to veterans who have been hurting,” Hennessey mentioned.